9,000 hectares of Sirajganj cropland flooded

More than 9,000 hectares of cropland of 72, 000 farmers have went underwater in the past few days due to rising floods in Sirajganj, according to the district’s Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE).

Of the total area, 8,227 hectares of Aman paddy cultivation, 330 hectares of different vegetables, 280 hectares of sugarcanes, 18 hectares of banana orchard, among others, have been ravaged by the floods.

Local sources said most of the Aman paddy and vegetable fields in Tarash, Sirajganj Sadar, Shahzadpur, Chowhali, Kazipur, and Belkuchi have been ruined by the flood.

Farmer Abul Kalam of Vadas village in Tarash upazila said he had cultivated Aman paddy on 20 bighas of land spending Tk 15,000. However, the crop of his land has been ruined.

Shahidul Islam, another farmer of the village, said all his crops were damaged due to the flood.

“Now, I do not know what I should do as I have no capital left to resume cultivation,” he added.

Although water levels in the Jamuna River have been decreasing for the last four-five days, it is still well above the danger level meaning that the situation still has to improve further.

Crop lands in the 75 unions and three municipalities in nine upazilas of the district have been hit hard by the flood this year, said DAE sources.

DAE Deputy Director Md Abu Hanif said the flood-hit farmers in the district will be relieved when they can restart their cultivation after the flood water recedes.

Few days ago, The Business Post published a report “Floodwater badly damages Sirajganj handloom industry” where it said many factories were submerged by floodwater and huge volumes of raw materials were ruined.

At the same time, hundreds of loom workers lost their jobs and now are living in inhumane conditions.

Weaving products are made in about 5 lakh power loom and handloom machines in Sirajganj.

But, as most of the factories were submerged by flood water in Shahjadpur, Belkuchi, Chowhali, Enayetpur, Kazipur and Sirajganj Sadar upazilas, all industrial operations have remained halted for a long time.

The exact amount of the loss is yet to be calculated, but it is confirmed that thousands of looms have been destroyed by floodwater.